Show season is here! Mullumbimby Show on this weekend ▶ p18 Volume 33 #22 Wednesday, November 7, 2018
IT’S ALL VERY NICE SITTING IN YOUR COMFY CHAIR IN BYRON SHIRE BUT…
Byron Vinnies’ vollies exit Hans Lovejoy
A mass exodus of around 17 longterm volunteers at the Byron Bay St Vincent De Paul centre is being downplayed by management, despite claims of poor treatment and a change in management direction. An increase in the cost of clothing and apparel appears to be also a factor in the fallout. Confirmation of the exodus has been provided by former vollies Bill and Suzanne Wallington, Janet Kershaw, Cathy Stavert, Graeme Gould and wife Lien Dao, Bruce Catlin, Alana Vallentine, Josie Altamura and Lynn (last name withheld). Bill Wallington told The Echo the management initially sacked about five or six volunteers, ‘and made life unpleasant for the rest.’ ‘Long-term volunteers were accused of being petty thieves and lining their own pockets. There was never any proof provided of those claims.’ Mr Wallington said he had been involved with the charity for 30 years and worked in the shop for five years. ‘There was no recognition of the work these volunteers did. There should have been more respect given,’ he said. Former volunteer Cathy Stavert told The Echo issues arose in June after the store started selling women’s dresses between $45 and $145 and handbags for $45. She says she had ‘strips torn off me’ from all levels of management for asking about the price rise. Complaints about management
Byron Shire Council Notices ▶ p10
Bangalow Show ▶ nextweek
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behaviour also fell on deaf ears, she says. A complaints determination by St Vincent De Paul’s resolution project officer, as supplied to The Echo, says the matter of bullying and discrimination was ‘investigated and is now concluded.’ No information about what action, if any, was taken owing to the ‘confidentiality of others involved.’ Another former volunteer Jane Millar’s claims were previously published in The Echo’s letters pages. Ms Millar wrote, ‘All [dismissed volunteers] were devastated and felt totally disrespected,’ adding that long-term locals stopped coming to the shop.
Vinnies reply Yet a spokesperson from the organisation has told The Echo the seventeen long-term volunteers ‘left of their own accord,’ and that, ‘The long-term relationship between volunteers and shop managers has invariably been excellent, with few complaints ever received.’ St Vincent De Paul also sent a press release last week announcing a new manager for the shop and outlined the assistance they provide to those most in need. A spokesperson for the charity said that the organisation is trying to implement a nationwide strategy for its 240 stores. ‘The key is to increase revenue,’ they said, ‘So we can increase the services we provide. Some volunteers at the store strongly resisted the new direction of management ▶ Continued on page 2
Music in The Valley is fast gaining a reputation as ‘the chilled music festival’ of Upper Main Arm. Emily Lubitz, pictured front and Suzanne Simpson, pictured rear, played together as a duo. The boys in the middle – Jesse and Sammy – are both musos as well as Emily’s road crew. Last Friday’s mini-fest was held on a perfect spring evening in Upper Main Arm school’s lush surroundings, drawing hundreds. Photo Jeff Dawson
Water extraction concerns Hans Lovejoy
Furious bipartisan agreement has erupted over the issue of water mining in the region, with local Nationals and Labor north coast candidates for the March 2019 election all calling for a full independent inquiry into water extraction on the northern rivers to be carried out before any new proposal is considered. The adoption of environmental concerns by the major parties comes as Tweed Shire residents
Mungo: The authenticity test of ad man PM ▶ p12
ban water mining in NSW. How can millions of dollars a year, for one or two developers, outweigh the protection of our aquifers and freshwater springs so close to the coast and on a warming planet?’ Nationals MLC and 2019 candidate Ben Franklin said in a statement that he ‘met with a range of individuals on the Alstonville plateau who were deeply concerned over the possible impact of a new proposal to extract 100 megalitres ▶ Continued on page 2
Another rainbow Fields of Healing Screentime festival handover and its impacts coloured masthead! Seven ▶ p32 ▶ p15 examined ▶ p17
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continue to be active in the face of expanding bottling operations, while Alstonville residents face a similar proposal. Yet NSW Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith told The Echo, ‘We don’t need an inquiry – it’s common sense and the precautionary principle embedded in our planning laws enables us to ban it if the risk outweighs the good.’ She added, ‘I’m taking to the [Greens] party room next week [the proposal] that we completely
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